November 2, 1993

Ms. Nicole Friedrich
#32 - 2640 Warren Ave.,
Kimberly, B.C., Canada V1A 1T5

Dear Nicole,

I think you have written what is very likely to become the standard work available on stucco. I think it's an extremely useful and usable book that needs only a little fine tuning - but not much. I am certain that it will see the light of the publishing day. But unfortunately we have to decline the opportunity to publish it.

Frankly, I wanted to publish your book and I tried to make a case for it. My colleagues think it's excellent too (and in fact one of the magazine editors may be contacting you about an article). But there is a problem with the market that I had recognized but that I had hoped wouldn't be a barrier to our publication. That, of course, is the limited potential. As you well know, stucco is somewhat regional. We see very little of it today in the Northeast, and there is even less in the Midwest. Furthermore, as you correctly point out, good stucco practitioners are a vanishing breed. There are many reasons for this, but above all it's a marketing factor that militates against our serving as the publisher of your book.

I do wish it were otherwise. I am sure that you will find an appropriate publisher who will be lucky enough to have your book add luster to their list. I only hope they do as good a job in publishing it as you've done in writing it.

Very best of luck.

Sincerely,

Richard Laufer
Program Manager, Fine Homebuilding Books and Videos

The Taunton Press, Publishers